The four bodies have been torn to pieces, mutilated beyond recognition. Clare, who has not closed her eyes even to blink, can tell Du which of the severed limbs, thrown and scattered heedlessly to lie where they fell on the rocky terrain, belonged to whom.

"Clare. It's all right now."

The fight had ended in an instant. Teresa had readied her sword, and then Priscilla had moved, and Von the time those other three women realized what had happened—well, they hadn't stood a chance before, so now their fates were truly sealed.

Long ago, Youma, shape changing demons, took human form to live in disguise in human towns, feeding on them in secret.

A secret, nameless society has discovered a way of implanting Youma flesh into humans to create hybrids powerful enough to defeat the Youma. A hybrid`s standard abilities include faster healing, limited shape modification, the ability to detect Youma and other hybrids, and insgesamt enhanced physical prowess allowing them to wield massive claymores, for which they are named: Claymores. For reasons not divulged, only women are selected to be Claymores. They are often chosen for...